Hungry for success
Randwick, G2 Darley Furious S., $200,000, 1200m
The G2 Sweet Embrace S. winner Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) is back for her first run of the spring and will look to make her claims for the Group 1 features. The Chris Waller-trained filly was solid in her trials and has a lovely barrier, but will improve over more ground.
Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) was impressive when winning the G2 Silver Shadow S. over this course to kick-off her spring campaign. She will have to do some early work from barrier 10 if she is to lead like she did last start, but is a talented filly.
Hungry Heart (white cap)
Godolphin filly Thermosphere (Exosphere) finished second to Dame Giselle in the Silver Shadow and she showed in her 2-year-old year that she improved with racing. She has also drawn a bad barrier, but you can count on her to be strong in the finish.
Dame Giselle’s stablemate Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) is a last-start maiden winner, but measured up well in Group company last campaign and Vangelic (Vancouver) is a proven first-up performer who has trialled well.
Reliable performer
Randwick, G2 Heineken Chelmsford S., $250,000, 1600m
Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is back to open his spring campaign and is the star of this field, but has drawn awkwardly with barrier 16. It’s been a while since he last won but he doesn’t know how to run a bad race and will be there at the finish.
The 2019 G1 Australian Derby winner Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom {USA}) flew home to finish second at his first-up run and will appreciate stepping up in trip. The 1600 metres is still short of his preferred trip, but he has the class and the turn of foot to win this race.
Avilius (GB)
Nettoyer (Sebring) is a Group 1 winner over this course, having taken out the G1 Doncaster Mile first-up earlier this year. She is a tricky mare and likes to settle back in the field so she will need some luck from barrier one.
Zebrowski (NZ) (Savabeel) was sound when resuming in the G1 Winx S. and will improve as he gets out over more ground while Chris Waller has a remarkable nine runners engaged Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) a chance at odds with a run under his belt.
Force to be reckoned with
Randwick, G2 Drinkewise Tramway S., $200,000, 1400m
Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) is stepping back down from Group 1 company and looks to be the best horse in an open field. He finished 15th of 16 runners in the G1 Winx S. but won the G1 George Ryder S. in the autumn and is the defending champion of this race.
Vanna Girl (Husson {Arg}) has made the trip down from Queensland and has won six of her last seven starts. She carries only 55kg compared to Dreamforce’s 58kg, but will start from the outside barrier.
Dragon Leap
Godolphin’s G1 Australian Oaks winner Colette (Hallowed Crown) resumes on a path to the G1 Caulfield Cup. This distance is short of her best. She has trialled up nicely and should be hitting the line well.
Dragon Leap (Pierro) has sound New Zealand form credentials and has previously won first-up as has Rock (Pierro). Reloaded (Snitzel) is another effective when fresh and a definite each way prospect.
Top sprinting clash
Randwick, G3 TAB Concorde S., $160,000, 1000m
Slotholders for The Everest, Nature Strip (Nicconi) and Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}), will clash for the first time since the South Australian raider got the better of the Chris Waller-trained gelding first-up in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. in the Autumn.
Both geldings trialled up very well, but if Nature Strip overdoes it early on in the piece, Gytrash will have every chance of running him down.
They look the obvious quinella, although Splintex (Snitzel) is a talented short course performer bidding to boost his Everest profile. He hasn’t raced since he won the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint and has turned in two smart trials ahead of resuming.
Nature Strip
Sircconi in right form
The Valley, G2 Ladbrokes Feehan S., $250,000, 1600m
Sircconi (Nicconi) is rock hard fit and in top form following runner-up finishes in the G2 PB Lawrence S. and the Listed Heatherlie H. A similar effort will see him hard to knock off.
His stablemate Mahamedeis (Magnus) has won his last two over ground and has been freshened. It should also be remembered that he was second in this race last year.
Surprise Baby (NZ)
Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) is effective off a break and was fourth 12 months ago while Harbour Views (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) is a talented customer and has a good first-up record. Coming Around (Gingerbread Man) is racing particularly well and isn’t out of this.
Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) has beaten better fields than this in the past, but he will need to improve sharply on his two most recent efforts to be competitive.
Course specialist fancied
The Valley, G2 Mittys McEwen S., $200,000, 1000m
Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) is unbeaten over this course and distance and she looks sure to go close to maintaining her perfect record.
She was hugely-impressive when resuming off a break and should strip even sharper for the run while the interesting runner is Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}). Last season’s G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up is a gifted colt and with luck from a wide gate will prove a handful.
Brooklyn Hustle
Bella Vella (Commands) showed her quality last preparation with an all-the-way win in the G1 Goodwood H. and has won a recent trial ahead of her return.
Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) has measured up well in similar field to this in the past and can’t be discounted while Witherspoon (Exceed And Excel) has stacks of pace and will be in this for a long way.
Agreeable chance
The Valley, Listed Inglis Ready2Race Atlantic Jewel S., $140,000, 1200m
Agreeable (Sebring) looks a filly with an abundance of talent and followed up a debut win at Geelong with an eye-catching finish for fourth in the G3 Quezette S. and is sure to have benefitted from the outing.
River Night (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Dirty Thoughts (So You Think {NZ}) are other genuine winning hopes with good recent form to their credit. Unstoppabelle (I Am Invincible) is a smart type, but will need luck from the barrier.
Aidensfield (Dissident) faces a rise in class, but looked well above average with two wins last campaign and Clean Machine (Brazen Beau) is quick and will give a good sight. Gypsy Choice (Choisir) might be one for better odds if things go her way from a tricky gate.
Show’s not over
The Valley, Listed Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank S., $140,000, 1200m
Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) has made impressive progress with six wins from seven starts and now looks set to star in stakes company.
Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He's Remarkable {NZ}) was just pipped in the Listed Regal Roller S. and that’s a sound form reference for this and a fresh Achernar Star (Gingerbread Man) has a proven first-up record to back his claims.
So too has Mandela Effect (Turffontein) and likes this trip while with the benefit of a first-up run, Chicago Cub (Zoustar) could be more competitive.
Mandela Effect
Avantage hot prospect
Te Rapa, G2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate, $100,000, 1200m
The Jamie Richards-trained Avantage (Fastnet Rock) can take up where she left off after winning three Group 1s from her last four starts during her summer and autumn preparation. She has had two preparatory trials, winning the last of them at Taupo.
Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) claimed the G1 Levin Classic during a lucrative 3-year-old season and is another to have trialled well while Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) is a quality sprinter and looked forward during a recent exhibition gallop.
Avantage
Demonetization (All Too Hard) is race fit coming off the back of consecutive wins and promises to be in the mix and G1 Railway S. winner Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) adds to the puzzle in an open affair.
Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) is Group 1-placed on this course and has won both of her lead-up trials and Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is progressive and a track and distance winner.
Stablemates hard to roll
Te Rapa, G3 WRC Northland Breeders S., $70,000, 1200m
Richards also has a strong hand with the unbeaten pair of Need I Say More (No Nay Never {USA}) and Your Point (NZ) (Bull Point). The former may hold a slight edge as the G3 Matamata Slipper winner of last term.
Unition (Fastnet Rock) was a Listed winner on debut and his stablemate Suffused (Choisir) was impressive winning first time out at Taupo and can bridge the gap to stakes company.
So can Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who won in fine style at Matamata while Taroni (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is a smart prospect, who placed in the Listed Karaka Million. De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has the advantage of race fitness as the winner of both her last two starts.
Mogador makes sense
Wanganui, Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas, $50,000, 1200m
Mogador (NZ) (Proisir) was impressive on debut and in a manner that suggested he can make his mark in this grade and Power On (NZ) (Power {GB}) has a similar profile after a smart first-up success at Te Aroha.
Flash Warrior (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) is a genuine customer and was third in a handy age group line-up last time out and Tannahill (NZ) (Star Witness) was fourth in that race and has appeal for each way value.
Amosia (Squamosa) was stakes placed last season so this company has no fears for her while Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse) overcame a tough run to win at Taupo and has more to offer. Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) was runner-up on debut after a troubled run and looks a filly worth following.
